ILOILO – The component city of Passi has recorded its first case of local coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission – a 44-year-old asymptomatic female.
Its 11 previous cases were locally stranded individuals and repatriated overseas workers.
This indigenous case – now on quarantine – prompted the city government of Passi to close a neighborhood in Barangay Agdahon yesterday covering 15 households. The city government would extend food assistance to them.
The public market of Passi was also temporarily closed for disinfection. The patient, a resident of Barangay Agdahon, operated a kiosk at the market.
Mayor Stephen Palmares said contact tracing was also launched.
The lockdown would be lifted when contact tracing has been completed and all test results of the contacts have been released.
Regarding Passi City’s market, Palmares said it may be reopened this Wednesday morning.
The woman’s case was baffling, according to the mayor. She had not traveled to areas with COVID-19 cases and had no contact with the city’s COVID-positive locally stranded individuals and repatriated overseas workers.
It is believed she may have contracted the disease from the market where people from the nearby towns of San Enrique, Calinog, Dueñas and even Dumarao in Capiz also shop.
How was the woman discovered to have COVID-19?
According to Palmares, the woman was scheduled to undergo surgery at a private hospital in Iloilo City. A COVID-19 test was one of the prerequisites. She tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus causes COVID-19.
The result was released yesterday./PN
